Movies Like Goodfellas For Those Who Root For Bad Guys in the Movies

Are you one of the good fellas?

Goodfellas regularly ranks as one of the greatest movies ever and is certainly one of the best gangster films ever made. Violent, unflinching, and utterly compelling, Goodfellas is a fascinating look at the world of gangsters and organized crime. A semi-biographical exploration of the life of Henry Hill, this is one of Scorsese’s finest movies. If you are looking for movies like Goodfellas, you should check out this list of stunning gangster epics.

Best Movies Like Goodfellas

Fans of gangster flicks will know exactly what to expect from movies like Goodfellas. There will be lots of bad language, ultraviolence, money, narcotics, and corruption. You will be looking at stylistic, and epic stories told over the years, that serve as simultaneous indictments and appraisals of the life of organized crime in America.

Casino (1995)

The great strength of Casino lies in the fact that it is directed by Scorsese, and stars Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro. This makes it the perfect sister piece to Goodfellas. Casino is more focused on the gambling and embezzlement side of organized crime, but it shares many stylistic similarities with Goodfellas. If you’re looking for a great movie as a companion piece that you can watch alongside Goodfellas, I definitely suggest you check out Casino – Sharon Stone is a revelation in this film!

A Bronx Tale (1993)

De Niro’s directorial debut wears its influences well and truly on its sleeve and tells the story of a young boy torn between the law, and the seductive gangster lifestyle he’s presented with. Exploring the unlikely friendship between a young boy and a mafia boss, A Bronx Tale is one of the most underrated gangster movies out there. Yes, it’s incredibly violent, and packed full of moral corruption, but it’s also a surprisingly touching and captivating tale, and one I can’t recommend enough if you’re looking for great movies like Goodfellas.

Donnie Brasco (1997)

Johnny Depp’s FBI agent goes undercover into the world of organized crime in this stunning Mike Newell epic. The movie is a comprehensive look at the world of gangsters, and the agents who try to take them down. The movie explores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, organized crime, and friendship, as Depp’s Joseph Pistone, finds himself tumbling deeper down the rabbit hole. An absolute must-watch, and a movie with a slightly bigger heart than Goodfellas, but no less perfect for the genre.

Gomorrah (2008)

Italian gangster movie Gomorrah is the perfect remedy to the glamorous and slick gangster movies out there. In many ways it’s an anti-gangster film, the movie explores the lives of those touched and affected by organized crime. Much like Goodfellas, the movie is preoccupied with the decisions people make, and how the consequences of those decisions shape their futures – for better or worse.This really is a powerhouse of a movie and one that’s well worth checking out whenever you get the chance.

The Departed (2007)

Another excellent movie on this list is Scorsese’s The Departed, a remake of the Hong Kong classic Infernal Affairs. The film features Leonardo DiCaprio as Billy Costigan an undercover cop in the Boston PD who goes undercover in the mob. At the same time, mole Colin Sullivan infiltrates the police department. The movie is packed full of twists, turns, wonderful characters, and a fascinating look at corruption and loyalty. This is definitely a flick to give some time to if you loved Goodfellas.

Goodfellas is such a wonderfully iconic and memorable film, and while it’s not for the faint of heart, it does explore the world of organized crime in great detail. The movie is considered a classic of the genre and has influenced so much that has come after. I recommend checking out these movies like Goodfellas if you want to get your gangster fix!